Morgan might sit in Game 3

St. Louis – Brewers manager Ron Roenicke strongly hinted Tuesday that Nyjer Morgan won’t be starting in center field in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against St. Louis on Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.

Morgan put the Brewers in the NLCS with his game-winning hit in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against Arizona. But he is batting only .150 in the postseason (3 for 20) with a .261 on-base percentage and has played uneven defense, including a couple of balls he didn’t catch in the Cardinals’ two-run third inning in Game 2.

“It’s something that we have talked about,” said Roenicke. “We’ll talk about it again. I think it’s important to score as many runs as we can against a very good pitcher. Sometimes you try something a bit new, but if a guy isn’t swinging the bat well you may make a switch.

“But sometimes you stay with a guy, too, expecting him to come out of it.”

Roenicke did not suggest he would sit Morgan because St. Louis is starting right-hander Chris Carpenter. Morgan and Carpenter have had conflicts in the past, including an infamous confrontation here on Sept. 5 when Morgan tossed a wad of chewing tobacco at the pitcher when cursed at after striking out.

Morgan is a career .174 hitter (4 for 23) against Carpenter.

Because Roenicke specifically mentioned the importance of scoring runs against a good pitcher, he might consider bypassing defensive specialist Carlos Gomez, who has never faced Carpenter, and going with Mark Kotsay. The veteran reserve has a .364 average (4 for 11) against Carpenter.

Roenicke didn’t specify which way he might go. He could opt for more defense with Gomez, figuring it will be a low-scoring game with Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo matching up with Carpenter. If he wants an extra bat, he has Kotsay.

“Those are the decisions I’m looking at every day,” said Roenicke. “I’m looking at matchups, trying to figure out who matches up best. When you’re in the regular season, you wait out things. You know that guy is going to be your guy and you say, ‘OK, it’s the season, he’s in a week-long slump.

“In the playoffs, sometimes you can’t have that week-long slump. You can’t stick with it. That’s why Jerry Hairston is in there now (in place of Casey McGehee at third base). He’s hot and as long as he’s hot he’s going to keep playing. When you’re in the playoffs, you look at it a little different.”

About Tom Haudricourt

Tom Haudricourt covers the Brewers and Major League Baseball. He was voted Wisconsin Sports Writer of Year for 2011 and 2012 by National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.